PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Nov 16                              Dress Down Day for 5th – 8th Grades

Nov 17                              TASTE 7:30 – 9:30pm

Nov 20                              3rd-8th Grade Progress Reports

Nov 21                               NO SCHOOL - Teacher In-service

Nov 22 & 23                       NO SCHOOL - School Office Closed. Happy Thanksgiving!

Dec 1                                1st Reconciliation @ 10am and 11:30am

Dec 6 & 7                          Hearing & Vision Screening

Dec 11                              K & 2nd Grade Christmas Cantata – 6:30 in Church

Dec 13                              2:00 Dismissal – Teacher In-Service         

Dec 18                              3rd-8th Grade Christmas Cantata – 6:30 in Church

DID YOU KNOW …  that studies show that almost 30% of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million people) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both.  At St. Patrick’s, we will not tolerate bullying.  We believe it is seriously wrong and it is our responsibility to educate our students and to provide them with the tools they need to make it stop. Therefore, Officer Jim Pauly spoke to our students and our staff on things we can do to STOP bullying.  According to one study, published in the Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 85% of bullying takes place with bystanders present. The same study found that nearly 60% of the time bullying will stop in less than 10 seconds when peers intervene.  Officer Pauly taught our students four things a bystander should do when they encounter bullying:

• Don’t Participate
• Tell the Bully to Stop  “Hey, we don’t treat people like that here.”
• Remove yourself (and try to take the person being bullied with you) “Come with me, I won’t treat you that way.”
• Report Circumstances

INFORMATION ON THE NEW BUILDING PROGRESS – We want to share a “snapshot” of what is going on with the construction project, here at St. Patrick’s, on a daily basis.  Before the sun comes up, by 4:30am, F & B Constructors employees begin their busy day. Approximately 23 workers are on the site. There are plumbers, block layers, iron workers and concrete finishers.  They are diligently working towards the completion of this project. The first phase of the lower level plumbing is complete.  The steel continues to be set.  The rock for the base of the 2nd floor walls is nearly finished.  The weather continues to allow for major advancements in the entire project. Remember to take a look on our website www.stpatselkhorn.org  for updated pictures of the progress and in this week’s bulletin.

ITBS RESULTS – On Tuesday, November 20th, your 2nd – 8th grade child will be coming home with their 2007 results for Iowa Test of Basic Skills or ITBS.  There will be a letter from myself, as well as the results, in a sealed envelope.  Keep in mind that these results should remain confidential, and we ask that you please refrain from discussing them with other parents or students.  Once again, I am very proud of how well our students performed on this annual assessment. 

FRONT OFFICE – All too often people are using the school office as a place to put things, in hope/expectation that someone else will be by to pick it up.  This however is not working, so we ask that you not to leave items to be picked up for various committees, athletics, auction items, etc. in the school office.  We want to help you avoid any miscommunication between you and your committees and we thank you for assisting us in making the school office more functional for school related business.

RED RIBBON WEEK – During Red Ribbon Week, our PE Teacher Mr. Reilly, along with our St. Patrick’s Physical Education students participated in many exciting activities that support being “Drug Free”.  One of the activities was a poster contest.  The students used the theme “Look at Me, I’m Drug Free” and created their own posters.  The contest was open to 5 surrounding counties with 1,200 students participating and turning in posters.  In the three categories (K-3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th grades), a St. Patrick’s student received 1st place in each category.  We also had second place winners in two of those categories.  The judges were not only impressed with the art work, but they were also very impressed with the messages the children were expressing.  On Monday, Nov. 12th, Pride Omaha held a press conference to present our St. Patrick students, Samantha Wiederkehr, Summer Bussey, John Mikulicz, Kelsey Stinn, and Derek Loseke cash prizes for each of them as well as $350.00 check for St. Patrick’s School.

CHANGES TO THE 2007-2008 DIRECTORY - are in the Ecommunications notice that all families received in their email.  Please note these changes for your future reference.

ST. PATRICK’S MORNING SAFETY PATROL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS - We have a big need for more help for morning drop off at school.  The volunteer time is approximately from 7:50 to 8:10 in the morning.  In addition, as part of their stewardship, 6th grade students are assigned to assist with the safety patrol.  If your child is assigned, please be sure that he or she is here on time.  If you would be willing to volunteer your time, please contact Denise Kimnach at 496-1210

STUDENT HEALTH SCREENINGS - We really need volunteers to assist with student health screenings on Thursday, December 6th and Friday, December 7th from 8 am to 3 pm.  Volunteers would help move students to and from class, fill out forms, and lend a hand to the health care professionals. If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, chiropractor, dentist or dental assistant, we could use your help with quick assessments on students that may have needs based on the initial evaluation. Volunteer for the day or for just a couple of hours!  If we get enough volunteers we will be able to offer additional screenings including height, weight, etc!!!  Let's keep St. Pat's students healthy!!!!  If you are willing to help, contact Nicki Lanzante via email at nlanzante@netscape.net or call her at 679-5749.

A MESSAGE FROM THE O’HARA’S - A sincere thank you for the cards, memorials, and Masses received in memory of our mother. Thank You - Denny & Cheri O’Hara.

MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO ASSISTED - We would like to express deep gratitude for all the wonderful help from the ushers, wait staff and kitchen staff for the Dinner Theater!  We really appreciate everyone's involvement and we know it could not have been done without you!  Thank you so much in Christ's Service!  Nick and Kelly Jo Yaksich.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE – We are in need of Pre-Lit Trees for decorating this Advent Season – Please contact Nicki Lanzante at 679-5749 if you would be interested in helping.

SCRIP TIP OF THE WEEK - New to SCRIP is GameStop gift cards in $25 increments with a 3% discount!  TCBY gift certificates will no longer be available!  We have about $50 in TCBY gift certificates ($5 increment) & then they will no longer be participating in the SCRIP program!  The HO HO HO SCRIP flyer & order form will be coming home with your child during the week of November 26 – please look for it & order any Christmas gift cards you can!  Our contest will run from November 26 through December 14th!!!!  The PRIZE will be announced later – our goal will be $20,000!!  Please contact Jane Chapman @ 553-6131 or KCCJDC@cox.net with questions or any special order items you might need!Thank you for using SCRIP – this program will help to supplement the new Library & Media addition to our school next year!!!  The more we buy SCRIP the more we can do for our Library & Media Center!!!!!

 HEAD COACH FOR 7TH/8TH GRADE TACKLE FOOTBALL FOR ST. PATRICK’S PARISH NEEDED - Must have some experience in football, both as a player and as a coach.  The head coach will be expected to lead a staff of volunteer assistant coaches to teach the fundamental skills of football. The successful candidate will also display a keen interest in the development of young student athletes with a focus on instilling qualities of good sportsmanship.  Interested applicants should send a brief resume and application letter to Joe Wingerter at joe.wingerter@kiewit.com or call him at 916-9204, or at 303-981-4854 for additional information.

ATHLETIC REGISTRATIONS NOW ONLINE - We are currently registering for the following sports:

YMCA Basketball (Winter Session) Late charges will begin on Dec. 10th, 2007

CYSL Soccer (Spring 2008) Late charges will begin on Dec. 10th, 2007

Micro Soccer (Spring 2008) Late charges will begin on Feb. 15th, 2008

T-Ball (Spring 2008) Late changes will begin on Feb. 15th

Avoid the late charges and sign up now! You will be able access the online registration from the St. Patrick’s Athletic Page via the following link: http://stpatselkhorn.org/athletics/Athleticsindex.cfm.  If you have any questions regarding online registration, please contact Lynette Davis (402)496-0764

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES - Sunday, November 18th –

   Duchesne Academy, from 10:30am to 2pm

   Creighton Preparatory School, from 11:30am to 2pm 

   Marian High School, from 12pm to 3pm

PARISH STEWARDSHIP INTENTION CARDS - St. Patrick’s Parish and the Archdiocese of Omaha have been conducting our annual stewardship renewal.  Each family in St. Patrick’s Parish was mailed a green parish intention card and an archdiocesan Feed My Sheep card.  In addition both were inserted in last week’s church bulletin.  Every parish family is asked to consider how they are sharing their time, talent and treasure this next year and complete the parish intention card.  Please remember that each school family that receives parishioner tuition rate is expected to have a completed Parish Stewardship Intention Card on file. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPY NIGHT - Next Sunday, Nov. 18th from 6-7:30 pm in the Youth Room is the youth group night for 6th-8th graders.  Topic: Are You Smarter Than a Turkey?  Contact Info: Jenni Vankat, 359-1950 or jvankat@stpatselkhorn.org.

REMINDER TASTE IS THIS SATURDAY - Registrations are still being accepted and the SPY Youth group is offering babysitting for the evening! Doors will open no earlier than 7:20 p.m., and TASTE will begin immediately at 7:30 p.m. TASTE Reserve will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. for those who registered. Hope you can join us for a wonderful evening of food and wine from around the world! If you haven't registered for either TASTE or the SPY babysitting you may get a form at www.stpatselkhorn.org (look for the Taste logo) or by contacting John Dunn 289-1890.

WOMEN’S CLUB is hosting their annual cookie/catalog sale the weekend of December 1st and 2nd. We are in need of cookies for the sale.  If you would like to bake 2-4 dozen cookies and deliver them Saturday December 1st between 2 and 4 pm, please contact Kerry Benes at 289-4107. We are also looking for parishioners with at home businesses who would like to participate. Please contact Nancy Ovenden @498-8877 with questions/comments. 

“FIELD OF DREAMS” DINNER AUCTION- There is still time to turn in items for the silent auction!  We have collected nearly 200 items so far and have room for more.  You can help make “Field of Dreams” a fantastic event. Please consider donating goods or services such as child care, lawn mowing, photography, legal services, cooking, decorating, consulting, coaching, time shares, RVs, boats, scrapbooks, hair products, sports memorabilia, music, wine, food, quilts, even your own home or backyard for a BBQ!  Acquisition forms are available in the school office or from John Dunn.  If you have questions about donating please contact Chirsten Broz at cjbroz@cox.net or 315-9530. There are also several opportunities to still be a part of the excitement and help at the event. Contact Shannon Watkins at 431-1624 or shannonwatkins@cox.net to see how you can get in the game!

Principal's Notes Deadline

Please submit all items/information in final form for Principal's Notes

by Tuesday, 8:00am to the school or email to:

ridderd@stpatselkhorn.org or kmoritz@stpatselkhorn.org

Archived Principal's Notes